Microbiome at a glance
Our bodies house trillions of microorganisms. These bacteria, viruses and fungi all function as an extra organ in our body called the microbiome. Although we often think of microorganisms to be harmful to our health, we need healthy bacteria to remain both physically and mentally well.
The gut microbiome is incredibly complex, and it’s capabilities extend far beyond nutrient absorption and digestion. Often referred to as the “second brain”, our microbiome has a nervous system, and produces neurotransmitters and hormones.
Research continues to show that gut health plays a role in immune function, metabolism, autoimmunity, hormonal balance, skin conditions, cancer, and mental health.
How sugar affects our microbiome
Sugar remains a hot topic in regards to health. People continue to label sugar as something that should be avoided at all costs. However, our brains depend on sugar as its main fuel source. Sugar only becomes detrimental to health when consumed in excess.
With that said, consistently eating refined sugars may negatively impact our health in a variety of ways, including our microbiome. For example, a 2018 study found a type of sugar called fructose alters the microbial make-up of our gut. These alterations may be linked to increased inflammation, impaired immunity, and mood changes.
Sugar intake & memory
The food we eat, along with the environment we live in, largely affects cognition over time. For example, eating a classic western diet filled with processed foods and refined sugars is linked with lasting memory impairments. In addition, our dietary choices during childhood have a more profound effect on cognition and memory than adulthood.
Why is this? The brain is rapidly developing during childhood and adolescence. In particular, when children regularly eat a diet high in saturated fats and sugars, it actually impairs the area of our brain that plays a role in memory and food intake behaviors, called the hippocampus.
There are a variety of theories behind why this may be. One of which involves the microbiome. Since excess sugar intake alters specific bacterial populations, researchers speculate that the microbiome may ultimately impact memory.
New research on sugar intake & the microbiome
It remains unclear whether there is a functional connection between sugar, the gut microbiome, and memory impairment. So researchers in a newly published study assessed weather sugar sweetened beverages affected the microbiome and memory of rats.
The rats received free access to a sugar sweetened beverage during their adolescent stage of life. Once the rats reached adulthood, the researchers assessed both memory function and anxiety like behaviors. In addition, they examined whether sugar induced changes in the rat’s microbiome and neurocognition gene expression.
Study findings
The researchers found that chronic consumption of sugar sweetened beverages during early life resulted in impaired memory function derived from the hippocampus of the brain. The sugar intake did not affect overall body weight or anxiety behaviors.
Drinking sugar sweetened beverages also altered the rats microbiome. Two specific species of bacteria (P. distasonis and P. johnsonii) were elevated among these rats, and these bacteria are associated with impaired hippocampal function.
Lastly, sugar intake during childhood alters gene expression in both the hippocampus and microbiome, suggesting that gut imbalance affects hippocampus derived memory during adulthood.
Our recommendations
Research on this topic is still in its infancy, so it’s important to note that clinical trials need to be conducted to see how chronic sugar consumption may impact people. Also, highlighting research on this topic is not meant to villainize sugar, but simply to draw attention to the potential negative impact chronic, excessive intake may have on memory.
Generally speaking, at Go Integrative Health, we don’t label foods as “good” or “bad”. We are firm believers that when it comes to eating foods high in processed sugars and fat, moderation is key. Unless someone has a food allergy or sensitivity, it’s unnecessary to completely eliminate less nutrient dense foods from your diet.
Do you have questions or concerns about how your diet and lifestyle are affecting your health? Contact us to schedule your complimentary consultation to determine if Nutrition Consulting is right for you.
Source
Citation
Sturges, Missy. How does sugar affect the microbiome? Go Integrative Health, 2021.